What does it mean?  Why do we always talk in abbreviations?  Too complicated, eh?  Well, this isn’t EH it’s OK – OPERATION KIDS.  Simple?  Whose kid needs an operation?  Ever heard of healing? No, nothing like that – the Church needs kids. OK? 

I write this after a long road of challenges and trials, but all are insignificant to the challenges and trials to which all involved with the new aftercare home will face the week after next, namely the suffering children and the staff administering daily care. The dream of many people will start to take true identity shortly. After a long road we start to receive the first of many children, we hope to encourage and treat them to a state of strong health, wellness, security and hope in their future... We've had a lot of back and forth and learning experiences for both expats and local staff and will continue to do so, but we are building a team, a home, and working together around a purpose to see healing fulfilled in broken lives. The new facility has been kitted out with top notch security, a new sewerage system, fresh paint, plumbing, an outdoor traditional gazebo, tire swings... Completely self inclusive yet very homely, a great place of restoration. Just as the facility has undergone a complete transformation, even the hearts of people attached to this work. We see beauty and hope emanate out of every corner, every staff member and we know it will reach to the hearts of the kids. Each one of our staff have grown in this short space of time and are excited for the continued hardwork they will need ahead of them. I am doing all I can to assist in helping this work suceed. It's succes can be judged by seeing us stay accountable and uphold the highest of standards in this country, but seeing the day to day lives of each child we care for become stronger, healthy, confident, secure, full of passion, purpose, dreams, and seeing them responding encouragingly to the care the receive will show not just people on the outside that restoration is possible, but to the children themselves. Please keep this work in your thoughts... Patrick



Happy new year to everybody and I hope·you all·had a great Christmas. Whether you were working too much or not enough, I hope that you found time to be around those that you love and care for. Though Christmas was only three weeks ago, we here at the not4sale team, we worked straight through Christmas and New Year.... No family, but we love the team God has given us...

 

As well as working straight through Christmas and New Year we traveled a lot. I myself went up and down the country during the last few weeks. A lot of the last month we·have had interviews for our staff positions here in Cambodia. I have been able to initiate a lot of the contacts that we have had for our open positions. And even for one of the interviews we had, I was able, though very little, help with the translation of the interview. It's amazing to think that even the little I know can help in situations such as interviews and communication! Oh and for anybody that·is coming over as a missionary or to visit the project, I I'm starting classes for foreigners :-)... Gotta keep busy.

Actually on the topic of being busy, the last six weeks have been very busy. As well as all of the interviews we have had I am learning Quick Books and taking over the finances for the project. Hopefully we will have a staff member hired for this position eventually, but give me a few months and I'll be able to teach anybody.

We do have our first staff member though, she is the wife of a local pastor here. Her name is Srey Roat, before she met us she said that she never used to smile or laugh much, but now she is all smiles and laughs all of the time. We know it's because she has the same spirit and heart as·us·and God led her to us as well as leading·us to her.· At the moment she is working with us in the office and cooking mostly all of our meals. She is learning "Carin's way" as well, and seems to be loving it a lot. I have also :-)

We have been praying and fasting as well as working hard here for the month of January, and we have really seen God answer our prayers and give us the strength to work despite the conditions here. We are still believing for breakthrough in many areas but we know that God will provide all that we need.

We believe that the staff that we will hire will be leaders not only in this project, but leaders in their church, in their community and even across the country. For example with Srey Roat, we are encouraging her to step up and step out and trust that God will provide her·with·the wisdom and understanding·that she needs to become a leader in this house for the girls. We know·that becoming leaders will be the case for the other staff that God leads us to, as God wants to see the children that come to our home and leave our home,·restored and healed and encouraged in their pursuit of Gods purpose in their life despite the struggles and pain they have faced and will face in the years to come.

We were at a children's home·and we were given the chance to play some songs and sing for the children there. They actually had a few dances for some of the songs that we sang, as I tried to choose songs that were familiar to them.· Despite the songs being in Khmer, I have been given some help to translate the songs from English words into Khmer words, it's been amazing to sing in a different language. My work here·with the children will be limited but being able to worship in song with the children will be a special time to spend· with them and see them grow closer to God.

So, thank you to everybody that is prayed for us, those prayers have helped in a huge way. God is blessing myself in a huge way both spiritually and financially, that all of my needs are met each month. I am healthy and strong and thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.

Hopefully by my next update we will have all of our staff hired and in the process of completing the training before we open the facility. Continue to pray that God brings the right people to us both here in Cambodia and to the volunteers in Canada. Please also pray for every person involved in this ministry that God provides for their every need. We are obedient to Him and trust that He will sustain all of the staff connected to N4S and Victory Children's Homes, here and across the world.

God Bless You all, thank you!